You can already know how to use the USB port on your computer or smart TV, but what about one on your router? This can turn your router into a media hub, a personal cloud server, a backup machine and more.
6
Turn on USB drive in network storage
Sharing files with family members or colleagues is something that we ever have to do. But instead of continuously email the documents, using swapping around the flash drive, or cloud storage, you can convert your router into NAS (network -attached storage).
To set it, you just have to plug the USB flash drive or hard drive in your router. Your router should automatically detect it and provide storage on your Wi-Fi network. From there, you can map it as a network drive on your computer, or access it through your smartphone or tablet.
It is like having your own personal cloud, except that it is independent and completely private. In addition, it is faster to upload and download them via the Internet to transfer large files on your home network.
Some routers also support remote access, so you can grab those files, when you out and it, like you will be with a dropbox or Google Drive. This is a great way to reproduce an old router.
5
Back up your equipment automatically
Supporting your equipment is one of the things that everyone knows should do regularly, but really keeping with it is a different story. Manual backups are tedious, and while cloud storage is a great option for automatic backup, cost can add faster, especially if you are trying to support several devices.
Instead, you can connect a USB drive or even a full exterior hard drive to your router and can turn it into a simple, always-backup hub. Some routers also include the underlying equipment that manages you the correct schedule and backup from your administrator panel. If not yours, you can still use the feature of file history in Windows, which is to automatically return the files on the network drive that maintains your router with connected storage.
4
Do a wired printer work wirelessly
A printer is one of the shared devices that all require access to the house or office. And if your printer is wired, it is likely that it is connected to a single computer. Usually this means sending a file to that computer to print something.
However, if your router has a USB port, you can connect your wired printer directly. This effectively makes your wired printer wireless; Any direct cable connected to your Wi-Fi network can print without the need for connection.
Most modern routers exclude this feature from the box. You just have to log in to the administrator panel of your router (usually by typing your IP address in your web browser) and enable the printer sharing.
3
Charge small equipment
The USB port alone on your router’s back can also double as a charging station for your equipment. Of course, it will not give fast charging like wall adapters, but it is more than enough to make the fitness trackers, wireless earbuds, smartwatch, or even low-power tools such as your Bluetooth mice to make juices.
These types of devices do not require much power and usually have gradually charged anyway, which surprisingly makes the USB port of your router as a practical backup option. This is particularly useful if your computer’s USB ports have already occupied, or you do not have an additional wall adapter.
If your router supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) or a similar media-sharing protocol, you can turn it into a media hub for material streaming materials in your entire home.
It is really quite simple. You must first plug the USB drive loaded in the USB port of your router with your favorite movies, music or photos. Then, go to the settings of your router and enable media server feature.
Once capable, your router always acts as a streaming hub. Smart TV, gaming console, tablets, and even smartphones like your home can easily access and stream your media library.
1
Use mobile internet as backup
Internet outage is always at the worst time – but still, your router can still come in handy. Many modern routers support USB tethering, allowing you to connect your smartphone (or a USB mobile broadband dongle) directly to the router. Then you can enable USB tethering on your phone and configure your router as a backup WAN connection.
If you are on a limited mobile data plan, it may not be ideal, but in a pinch, it may be a life saving. This is especially useful if you work from far away and want to keep your equipment online during internet outage.
So there you have it. The humble USB port of your router is not just for the show. Most routers come only with a USB port, perhaps two if you are lucky, you will not try every idea at once. Nevertheless, using just one or two of these can unlock some severely useful hidden capacity.
